***if I start to losing, its all Sara and Andrea's fault!!!****

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Yep. I'm calling folks out. My Spark friends ADARKARA and SHRINKING_SARA have officially inspired me to tighten up my nutrition. Until I read Sara's blog and chatted back and forth with Andrea yesterday, I had every intention of continuing to workout like a banshee and eat like a pre-pubescent boy. I have gotten content just losing a half a pound a week. Ok, that was a lie. I was getting frustrated with how much sweat I was putting in and felt because my eating habits are good, not great, I still deserve to lose 2 lbs a week. Well dammit, my body didn't get the memo.

Yesterday SHRINKING_SARA said that when she was losing weight consistently (by the way, she has lost over a 100 lbs! )she was eating five small meals every 3 hours and they were all under 300 calories. If I am being honest, my snacks run about 200 calories and my lunch is closer to 600. I do understand that our caloric needs may be different, but if I eat 4 small meals of 300 calories or less, and allow myself up to 600 calories for dinner, I would still end up between 1700-1800 calories per day which is my lowest range according to my BMR. Since I burn anywhere to 2700 - 3400 calories a day with my workout routine, I would get back to losing 2 pounds per week. That Sara is a genius!

Me and Andrea have a lot in common. We are both Amazons (I am 5'9 -5'10 depending on which doctor measures me). She began her journey at 275 and me at 272. We both have a goal of getting to the 170's. She began her journey in April of 2012 and I began in May 2012. She has managed to lose 65 lbs and I have only lost 45. I workout sometimes two hours a day. Andrea does not. So how has she lost 20 more pounds? She is a stictler when it comes to her diet. I mean she checks the air she breathes to make sure there are no loose calories floating around. Without changing her fitness regimine much, she has managed to transform herself. Ever heard the saying, "losing weight is 20% exercise and 80% what you put in your mouth"? Well she and I are living proof of that. SO yesterday I realized that she is the best example for me of what I need to do because we have the same build, starting weight and goal weight. Bottom line: as much as I love food, it is a one-sided relationship and I need to find better ones for me. I need to become more concerned about what I put in my mouth so that the work I put in at the gym isn't in vain.

Thank you ladies for waking my mind up. You have re-inspired me on this journey. I may not be where you both are at now, but I will get there becuase you have given me something to look forward to. Smooches!

LILSHINE
Awww no wonder we're sparkbuddies. I just started trying to eat the mini meals this week to help boost my weight loss. I hope I can stick with it. It takes a lot of work prepping and planning but hopefully it will be worth it. I know you'll do well thanks for sharing what you've learned. I'm an Amazon as well :) 5'9.5 and am now around where you both started. So you both give me hope. 1465 days ago

YESCURLYCAN
What a great set of friends you have! I loved this blog. It really drives home the "you can't out train a bad diet." It took me a long time to realize that. Getting healthy starts in the kitchen and ends in the gym Keep sparking; you've got this!1465 days ago

RDGISME
You have now inspired me: thank you! I am not more than 5'4", but struggling just the same. I kicked my exercise way up and am seeing small losses, which is great! For example: this week I lost .6lb, but after 6-7 weeks of gains due to a medication and my slacking on exercise, it feels great! You will get to those 170's before you know it!!1471 days ago

NOTLIKEMCLOVIN
Amazons are my favorite! :) Yes, diet is the biggest part of weight loss, I think. In my experience, exercise is most important for a) mental and physical health, and b) getting those extra calories so that you can occasionally eat the "bad" things. Just tighten up that eating and you'll be in the 170s in no time!1471 days ago

Loved the line "she checks the air she breathes to make sure there are no loose calories floating around". I'm not *quite* that bad but I did get harassed at work the other day for not eating free pizza! lol

Just remember: you don't need to deprive yourself to eat a good diet, you just need to be a little creative!